This bold, emerald-green sauce comes straight from the flavor playbook of India Joze, the legendary Santa Cruz restaurant known for its inventive Southeast Asian fusion dishes. Adapted from a recipe used in the original kitchen decades ago, this Cilantro Chile Sauté Sauce is bright, spicy, and wonderfully versatile. It comes together in minutes and keeps...Read More

This elegant Pan-Seared Salmon with Fava Bean Sauce highlights the best of spring flavors — crisp, golden salmon with a tender, flaky interior paired with a bright, tangy fava bean sauce. The technique of searing the salmon on one side before finishing it in the oven ensures a gorgeous crust and perfectly moist flesh. Serve...Read More

This versatile Fava Bean Sauce is one of those quietly elegant recipes that transforms humble ingredients into something special. Whether made with mature, starchy favas for a deeper, earthier flavor or young beans for a bright, spring-green freshness, it’s a beautiful complement to pan-roasted salmon, halibut, or grilled vegetables. Smooth and velvety when puréed, it...Read More

This fragrant, herb-forward braise is a simple yet sophisticated take on a classic chicken stew — inspired by the Chez Panisse method and infused with bright cilantro and warm spices. With its flexible flavor base, this dish can travel anywhere: from the Southwest to North Africa or Southeast Asia, simply by adjusting the aromatics and...Read More

There are many different methods for making basil infused oil, but I find this one works really well. It produces a deeply colored and flavored oil that will last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days before the flavor begins to drop off. It can be frozen for a month or two without much loss of...Read More

Babaganoush is a classic Lebanese eggplant dip that shines when made with fresh ingredients and a touch of smokiness. The key is to use good-quality olive oil, fresh eggplant (to avoid bitterness), and grill the eggplant until it’s charred and tender for that deep, smoky flavor. If you can’t grill, the broiler works—just keep the...Read More

This Arugula and Cherry Salad captures the essence of early summer — peppery greens, sweet-tart cherries, and toasted nuts in a light, fruity vinaigrette. The result is a salad that’s both refreshing and deeply satisfying, perfect alongside grilled pork chops, roast chicken, or a seared steak. To turn it into a stand-alone main course, simply...Read More

Light, fresh, and wonderfully aromatic, this Mint Vinaigrette adds a burst of cool flavor to any dish. Tender mint leaves blend with white balsamic vinegar, a touch of sweetness, and Dijon mustard to create a balanced dressing that’s as versatile as it is refreshing. It’s delicious on crisp summer salads and just as delightful drizzled...Read More

Elegant and aromatic, this Tarragon Vinaigrette is a timeless classic with a fresh twist. Traditionally made with red or white wine vinegar, this version uses white balsamic vinegar for a softer acidity and subtle sweetness that lets the delicate flavor of tarragon shine. The dressing is beautifully balanced with shallots, Dijon mustard, and a touch...Read More

Fragrant, tender, and deeply flavorful, this Lavender-Braised Chicken with Red Wine and Herbs transforms a rustic French cooking method into an aromatic, elegant dish. The chicken is first infused with cognac and lavender, then gently braised in red wine steeped with thyme, bay leaves, and toasted black peppercorns. The result is a beautifully balanced dish—earthy,...Read More